What is Biochemistry?
It is the scientific study of the chemical processes and substances that occur within living organisms. It also relates to Structural Biology, Enzymology, and Metabolism
What is the importance of water?
All biochemical processes rely on H2O. It is a Universal Solvent, participates in many biochemical reactions, high specific heat capacity, transports nutrients, hormones, and waste, contributes to 3D structures of proteins and nucleic acids, and acts as a reactant or product (catalysis).
What are the properties of water?
It is polar with polar covalent bonds (uneven sharing), hydrogen bonding, and a universal solvent. 0 C melting/freezing point and 100 C boiling point. 1g/mL density and 1cal/g C heat capacity. 4.184J/g C.
What does having a polar covalent bond mean? What does it create?
It means there is uneven sharing of electrons between Oxygen and Hydrogen. It creates a charge across the bond (Dipole).
What is a hydrogen bond?
A relatively weak bond between the oxygen of one water to the hydrogen of another water molecule.
What can the polarity of a molecule be?
-Nonpolar w/nonpolar bonds
-Nonpolar w/polar bonds
-Polar w/nonpolar bonds
When a bond breaks it _________ energy.
Uses
When a bond forms it ______ energy
Releases
In a Hydrogen Bond, the H only attaches to ___, ___, and ___
Nitrogen, Oxygen and Fluorine
What acceptor atom directionality is the strongest (think fist bump)?
In line with the bond (direct fist bump)
Define amphipathic
Has both polar and non-polar regions
What is the Hydrophobic effect?
When hydrophobic (nonpolar) regions end up clumping together to maximize interactions with each other and decrease interactions with water
Define micelles
Thermodynamically stable structures of amphipathic compounds in water (ex: round sphere shape)
Talk about van der Waals Radius
The measure of how close an atom will allow another to approach. (Think Rubber ducky to face approach). Too close will repel. Too far, isn't effective. Just right will work fine.
What is cytochrome f and what does it do?
It is a chain of 5 bound water molecules. It may provide a path for protons to move through the membrane.
What happens when an enzyme and substrate interact?
Water in between them becomes displaced